Tag Archives: back pain

Back pain is so common among people it has its own talking points. Did you ever get into a conversation with someone only to end up comparing back pain stories? Well, here is a quick exercise that can help. Bending or twisting are the two motions most my patients perform that contributed to their back injury. Here is a simple exercise to help you bend properly, and save your back, it is called a “hip hinge”. You will need a broom. Begin by standing with feet shoulder width apart. Place the broom along the spine, holding the top of the broom against the back of your head and the base of the broom against your butt. Now hinge at the hips and flex forward but keep the broom in contact with the head and rear end. You should be hinging at the hips without rounding the lower back. You might feel some pulling in the hamstrings. Stop when the broom pulls away from the head or butt. Practice this enough so that you can do a hip hinge for almost any bending activity. It can literally save your spine.

Did you know that back pain is second only to the common cold as the most frequent cause of sick leave? Back pain accounts for approximately 40% of all work absences. A study from 1999 found that an estimated 22 million people suffer from back pain that lasts one week or more with an estimated 149 million days of lost work. So what would those numbers be today in 2017? Chiropractors are experts on diagnosing, treating, managing and preventing back pain. If you haven’t had back pain yet, you are lucky, because for most Americans, it is just a matter of time. Visit the pro’s who handle these problems on a daily basis!!

Health is something most people take for granted, however as we age, we start thinking about our mortality a little more frequently. Spine problems are one of those things that can make every day activities more challenging if not addressed. Here are just a few of the problems that can occur with the spine as we age. Degenerative changes of the disc and vertebrae can be a result of genetics, trauma, wear and tear or just life itself. The discs can become thinner, the vertebrae can develop bone spurs. Arthritis can contribute to pain in the spinal joints. Stenosis can occur with a bulging disc or bony changes along the spinal canal. All of the previous can contribute muscle or nerve issues along the spine that can affect the limbs (think sciatica). Chiropractors are educated and trained to diagnose and treat patients with these issues and help them enjoy their daily activities to the fullest. Don’t let spine problems ruin your fun!!

Chronic pain is one of those things that can literally make you lose your mind or even damage it. A study of over 10,000 elderly adults found that those adults dealing with moderate to severe chronic pain, also had a significantly more rapid decline in cognitive function including memory, attention, as well as increased signs of dementia. This was compared to people with little to no pain. So instead of getting a prescription for opioids when you are in pain, find your local chiropractor, as study after study has proven its effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of those with chronic pain.!!

Did you know that there is an 80% chance that you will suffer from back pain, if you already haven’t? Did you know that there are 500,000 disc surgeries annually and that most of them are unnecessary and ineffective? Several studies now indicate that for many patients, fusion surgeries designed to alleviate the pain from degenerative discs, disc herniation’s, and/or radiculopathy do not work. This can lead to significant increase with disability, opiate use, prolonged work loss and poor return to work status. On the plus side, the medical world is now rethinking its approach to back problems because “the world of spinal medicine, unfortunately, is producing patients with failed back surgery syndrome at an alarming rate”. “There is an overwhelming body of evidence indicating that chiropractic management of low back pain is more cost-effective than medical management.” Dr. Anthony Rosner testifying before of the Institute of Medicine, stated, “Today we can argue that chiropractic care, at least for back pain, appears to have vaulted from last to first place as a treatment option.” Spread the word to your friends and loved ones!

Health Tip Today: Well, as a doctor who likes to practice what he preaches, I must say that my last 2 health tips discussed injuries due to working in the yard. As proof, I did some yard work over the weekend, mostly edging and raking. I did this for two consecutive days (Sat & Sun) and for a limited time. Being right handed, the right side of my mid back and right shoulder felt some fatigue, but other than that, I was careful with bending as not to hurt my low back. Today (2 days later), I went to the gym this morning and my mid-back and posterior aspect of the right shoulder started getting tight and sore. Funny enough (duh), I couldn’t figure out why, as I hadn’t done anything to hurt it. The light bulb finally came on during my drive home, as I realized that I had been pushing an edger and raking right handed over the weekend. This is kind of humorous, as initially I couldn’t figure out why I was getting sore. It happens to the best of us, but at least I know why. I shall take a visit to my chiropractor for some treatment!!

Now that spring is upon us, the spring chores will be consuming a lot of time, especially if you enjoy working in your yard and garden. Bending over for an extended time is one of the most common causes of back pain during this time of year. Often it is due to weeding, mulching, or any other chore that involves forward flexing, but lifting heavy items is also a concern. Maintaining a flexed posture, for any sustained period of time, is not healthy for your spine. It causes the discs and spinal muscles to come under extreme stress. If it doesn’t cause pain immediately it may cause pain in the not-to-distant future. Make sure you monitor your forward bending and take constant breaks to give your back some relief. Also when bending, bend at the hips so you do not round your lower back, as this is a common mistake people make. Finally, never twist with something heavy in your arms. Enjoy the spring and keep your back healthy!

Pain is a fact of life and because of that people tend to seek out ways to reduce pain with their daily activities. Did you know that fatal drug overdoses now have surpassed suicides and car accidents as a cause of death according to the CDC? The death rate for opioid overdoses quadrupled from 1999 to 2015. That means 91 Americans a day now die from opioid overdose. Though all age groups are more at risk for dying, those between their mid-40s and 60s are the hardest hit. Chiropractic helps people of all ages reduce the pain that prevents them from enjoying life and can improve the function of the spine and body for maximum performance. Don’t let prescription pain killers control your life…talk to your chiropractor for more alternatives…. !!

If you are like me and generally hate colder weather, then you have to admit this winter wasn’t so bad. I talked to my mom in Nebraska last night and they have 70 degree weather with 80’s on the way. With the warmer weather, many people are chomping at the bit to get in the yard and perform those spring tasks that lead to back and neck pain. This mostly comes from bending and/or lifting. Remember to slowly work your way into the yard chores. I see more gardening injuries in the spring and summer than any other time of year. There is a proper way to bend and it isn’t necessarily “bending and lifting with the legs”. Bending properly comes from the hips while keeping the back in a neutral position. To learn this technique, place a broom handle against your butt with the top against the back of your head. Slowly bend forward while keeping the broom in contact with the butt and head. This forces you to bend at the hips. It takes some practice but will keep your back healthier !! Give it a try!

Did you know that back pain costs the US billions in health care dollars every year? In fact, the odds of you developing back pain is so high that…..chances are you have already experienced some. Back pain is probably the most common problem I see in my practice, with neck pain being number two. Anecdotally, in my practice, there is a higher percentage of guys with lower back pain and women with neck and upper shoulder pain. One of the reasons back and neck pain costs the US so much, is that care is driven to those health care providers who cost more and are less effective with their treatment. Studies and statistics show chiropractic as being less expensive, more effective and having better patient satisfaction with their outcomes down the road, than non-chiropractic treatments. Why not get the care you deserve…visit your chiropractor today!!